J. Crabtree

J. Dee Crabtree, 84, a longtime resident and community leader of Mt. Vernon, IN, died at 9:50 pm, Saturday, April 6, 2007 at Bethesda Memorial Hospital Hospice in Boynton Beach, FL.
He was born in Escanaba Michigan, May 2, 1922, son of Jodie and Ruth (Kent) Crabtree.
Dee graduated from High School in Springfield, Illinois and graduated from Haverford College, where he excelled in scholarship, football, and track, with a BS degree in Spanish.

Dee entered the United States Navy, Midshipman Class at Northwestern Illinois University, and held the rank of Lt. JG. He served in WW II in the European and American Theatre.

De Moved to Mt. Vernon in 1944 and on March 20, 1944, he married Jo Ann Schrode, daughter of William E. and Emily Keck Schrode. The couple recently celebrated 63 years of marriage. Dee was in business with his father-in-law at the Schrode Insurance Agency, and was president of the Posey County Loan Company until his retirement at age 70. He was a member of the First Methodist Church and longtime chairman of its finance committee. He was a director of the Old National Bank of Mt. Vernon, a board member and president of the Metropolitan School District, past president of the Mt. Vernon Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of commerce, and an honorary member of the Elks club.
He was active in fundraising for the United Way and the Red Cross and was involved with the Mt. Vernon Boy Scouts and was an Eagle Scout himself. He was a charter member and past president of Western Hills Country Club, a member of The Evansville Country Club, as well as Pine Tree Golf club in Boynton Beach, Florida, where, along with his wife, he was an avid golfer.

He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann (Schrode) Crabtree of Mt. Vernon, IN and Delray Beach, FL; daughters, Ann Crabtree Brown and Jody Crabtree Carlson; Son-in-law Larry Carlson, and grandchildren Michael James Brown, Catherine Blair Carlson, Christopher Lars Carlson, and William Spencer Carlson, all of New York City.

Memorial services will be held 10:30, Saturday, May 5, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church, 601 Main Street, Mt. Vernon, IN, with burial in the Bellefontaine Cemetery. Friends may gather from 3:00pm until 6:00pm on Friday, May 4, 2007 at Austin Funeral Home, 1330 East Fourth Street, Mt. Vernon, IN. The family has requested memorial contributions be made to First United Methodist Church or Haverford College.